Poinsettia plant named `Fissilver`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of poinsettia plant named Fissilver, characterized by its bright red bract color, light green leaves with narrow white margins, medium early flower response, and low, compact and bushy plant habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPoinsettia plant known by the cultivar name Fissilver, and botanicallyknown as Euphorbia pulcherrima.

The new cultivar is a naturally occurring mutation of Peterstar,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,259 and characterized by its brightred bract color, medium green foliage, and its medium tall, compact andbushy habit.

The new cultivar was discovered by inventor Kenneth Laming, as amutation among a group of young plants of the parent cultivar growing ina greenhouse in Chatellerault, France, in summer 1993. One plant hadcompletely undergone mutation and showed variegated leaves with lightgreen main color and white margin, in contrast to the uniform brightgreen foliage color of Peterstar. Since the plant looked attractive itwas taken to Hillscheid, Germany, for further examination.

In spring 1994, the plant was propagated by cuttings by or under thesupervision of inventor Katharina Zerr in Hillscheid, Germany. Thepropagated plants were observed for uniformity and stability of thefoliage characteristics, and for growth characteristics as well. Sincepresence or absence of leaf variegation is clearly visible at any time,there was no difficulty in building up a uniform clone and keeping ittrue to type.

Horticultural examination initiated in Hillscheid, Germany, in 1994 andcontinuing thereafter has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for Fissilver are firmly fixed andare retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Fissilver which in combination distinguishthis poinsettia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Bright red bract color.

2. Ovate bracts are borne horizontally, with no tendency to drooping.

3. Light green leaves with narrow white margins.

4. Medium early flower response.

5. Low, compact and bushy plant habit.

6. Good keeping quality of leaves and bracts.

Fissilver has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without,however, any variance in genotype. The following observations,measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Hillscheid,Germany, under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generallyused in commercial practice.

The plants described were potted as rooted cuttings in 12 cm pots onAugust 24, pinched 14 days later and grown at about 20° C. day and nighttemperature under natural day light conditions in Autumn. Observationsand measurements were taken mainly at the beginning of flowering.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to Fissilver is the parent variety Peterstar. Incomparison to Peterstar, Fissilver has a similar bract color and flowerresponse time, but has variegated foliage with a light green, somewhatmarbled main color and narrow white margin. Due to the partialchlorophyll deficiency, Fissilver grows more slowly and plants ofFissilver are smaller than those of Peterstar when grown under the sameculture regime. In addition, the bracts and leaves of Fissilver aresmaller and usually show a higher degree of lobing and rugosity. Thedifferences in bract and leaf size are best visible or most distinct inearly culture under high light intensity and diminish in autumn underlow light and short day conditions.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical inflorescenceand foliage of Fissilver, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type. The photograph is a side elevational view ofa typical mature potted plant.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedindoors in a north light.

Classification:

Botanical.--Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Commercial.--Poinsettia, cv. Silverstar.

Parentage: A naturally occurring mutation of Peterstar.

Plant description:

Form.--Compact and bushy, well branched.

Growth habit.--Weak to medium growth. Height (above soil line):16.5 cm.Diameter/width: 33.0 cm. Average no. of branches: 6.5.

Rooting.--Fast, less than 20 days.

Blooming habit.--Under natural short day conditions in late November;plant is saleable a few days before cyathia open. Response time is about9 weeks.

Foliage.--Size: Leaf blade: Length: 9.0 cm. Width: 7.5 cm. Petiole: 5.0cm. Color: Light green main color, slightly marbled with lighter greenspots; narrow, irregularly shaped white margin. Upper Surface: Maincolor 138 A, with lighter spots of 191 A; white margin 155 A. UnderSurface: Approximately 138 A-B, with white margin 155 A. Leaf petioleand basal part of midrib: dark red, about 178 B. Shape: Ovate, almoststraight or slightly rounded base and acuminate apex. Texture: Uppersurface: glabrous, slightly rugose; Under surface: weak veins. Edge ofMargin: Mainly entire, partly with irregular crenation. occasionallysmall pointed lobes.

Flowering description:

Cyathia.--Few (10-14) in a narrow cluster, light green, medium size.

Bracts.--Shape: Ovate to broad elliptical, with acuminate apex androunded or slightly wedge-shaped base, margin entire, occasionally weaklobes. Texture: Upper surface weakly rugose, lower surface haslight/whitish veins. Size: Largest bract is 9.5-10.0 cm long, includingpetiole. Aspect: Horizontally or somewhat upward, slightly folded.Color: Bright red, upper surface 46 B-C. lower surface 46 C-D.

Reproductive organs:

Nectar cups.--1-2 per cyathium, orange-yellow, often infused with red.

Stamens.--Red, changing to brown, abortive.

Pollen.--Hardly any pollen.

Styles.--Dark red.

Ovaries.--Light green, top light red; triangular, 3-celled, 3 ovules.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of poinsettia plant namedFissilver, as illustrated and described.